ALCS Game 2: BoSox @ Rays

Two safe, polished, high probability college pitchers with long & successful track records high risk, super high reward high school arms from Texas face off tonight, as Scotty Kazmir looks to even the series at one against Josh Beckett, a.k.a. TEH AWESOMEST PLAYOFF PITCHER EVA!!11!1onehundredeleven!! Superstud Evan Longoria really needs to figure it out and quick for the Rays, he’s only 1 for 16 since his 3 for 3, 2 HR showing in Game 1 of the ALDS.

Rays’ fill-in closer Dan Wheeler has thrown a grand total of two innings in the last 18 days, so he’s got to get some work in today with the off day tomorrow, right?

Yeah. Maybe if they got Johan he would have showed up to more than 2 games this year.

Ivan

It tells ya more and more Hal is running the show.

Steve H

Maybe the Yankees would have enjoyed the same success that Johan’s Mets had

Ivan

Yo Whats up Kazmir.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Seriously. He had no problem getting the first two outs of the inning.

Ivan

Just a bad inning for Kazmir. Can’t do that.

Steve

Cant lose the first 2 at home, either. Especially when you’re as young as the Rays are and had a ridiculous record at home this year.

We all wondered how the Rays would handle the pressure, and its becoming clear. No hit through 7 vs a Dice K that could throw strikes for the first 3 innings, and now this.

Steve

2008 World Series-Sox vs Phillies, who ya got?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I’m sticking to my Dodgers-Rays prediction. This series is far from over.

Mike Pop

Cmon Rays

Ivan

Talk about a “No shit sherlock” scouting report for beckett.

Mike Pop

Phillies over the Rays in 6

Steve

BTW-RIP NY Sun.

Just checked to see what Marchman’s been writing, and saw that they closed shop at the end of September.

Sucks, but its tough being a neo-con newspaper in NYC. Its like being an atheist in the Bible Belt. The newspaper biz in general is going the way of the horse and buggy, much less these niche daily pubs.

Mike Pop

Josh has it tonight

Steve H

After 2 batters?

Mike Pop

joke

Mike Pop

I think we messed up cutting Pena eh ?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Yeah, but so did several other teams.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Carlos Pena is a beast. Even his batting stance is intimidating.

Steve H

Why can’t we get guys like that?

Mike Pop

I know….we can never get lucky with those kind of guys

27 this year

I think it is more that we don’t give them a chance. Navarro took years at the major league level to have a good year and same with Pena. Did we really want to deal with that much time of suckiness for the “slight” possibility they don’t do good. Basically to get lucky like that, we would have Kennedy pitch a lot and maybe he will become good like those guys. They just needed an extended chance.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Teh awesomest postseason pitcher eva!11!1

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

87 mph meatball right over the plate. Even I could have hit that out … of the infield.

Steve H

Eva Longoria could have hit that

Mike Pop

Thats gonna take a hit like Canos trade value did this season !!!

Steve H

No, ESPN will come up with some excuse for him.

Steve

I’m sure they will make some kind of oblique reference to his health.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

“Josh Beckett, the greatest big game pitcher of our – or any – generation just didn’t have it tonight.”

I can hear it now…

Steve

you forget the “modern-day Bob Gibson” part.

Steve H

He’s gritty and gutty so he’s pitching thru it, he must be hurt. In fact, this performance makes him an even better postseason pitcher. He’s now the 1st and 2nd best playoff pitcher of all time.

Steve

Well now that’s not possible. He doesn’t have a scruffy grit-beard or gamer’s shaved head. He just has that little scruff of hair on his chin, and everyone knows that just means he’s a homosexual.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Yep. Either that, or they’ll just ignore his most recent postseason pitching performances, and focus mostly on the the 5 yr old ones.

Steve H

Too bad they don’t do that with A-Rod. Either that or ignore the ALDS performances, and pay attention to the dominating ALCS performances. Were he playing for the Sux, that’s what they’d focus on.

Mike Pop

No no no no Lester will become the 2nd or 3rd best ever

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

No no no no Lester will become is the 2nd or 3rd best ever

Fixed.

Mike Pop

On MLBTR some sox fan was like i wouldnt deal lester alone for peavy becuz of thier playoff recorrds … lol Idk Id think id deal Lester for PEavy but idk.. Its like us dealing Joba for him which would be tough to do

Ivan

Finally Longoria. For a while, you was hitting like Eva Longoria.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Alright Kaz, they bailed you out. Now do your part.

Ivan

word.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Uno, dos, tres.

RichYF

Beckett is in the dugout explaining why he wears the sign of the vagina around his neck.

Joey

Love how Kaz and Becks must have been traded before the game (thats how we know Mike doesn’t need to copy anyone elses lineup!)

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

D’oh.

Fixed now, my bad.

Mike Pop

Could Ajax be our Longoria ? Or will it have to be Jesus Montero ?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

The Yanks don’t have anyone at that level. The only two guys in the minors even remotely close to being that good are Wieters and Heyward.

Mike Pop

Would you say Bruce is up in that tier ?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Close. He has more power than Longoria, but Evan’s a better pure hitter and overall player.

Steve

Not as all around players, but you could see Montero having more power than Evan.

Ivan

Wieters is amazing. That dude is an absolute STUD. Heyward is pretty damn good too, although I will say this, I think Montero might be the better pure hitter than Heyward, but not as good all-round of course.

Steve

I dont think A-Jax will ever have anything similar to Evan’s power potential.

Ivan

You wish A-Jax could hit like Longoria. Chances of that is very, very little.

Mike Pop

Ive seen Longoria play in Low A short season for the Hudson Valley Renegades… Dude was hitting balls over the trees lol…It was awesome seeing a future star there ya know.. I live like 20 minutes by the stadium and when I heard bout Longoria I had to check him out a few times

Mike Pop

Also seen Beckham a few times.. He looks like a good player lol obviously being drafted 1 overall and all

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

“We have been down 0-1 before.”

Actually … no, they haven’t. But nice try Buck Martinez.

Mike Pop

Beckett iss sooooooo ggoooooood !!

Steve

Its the vagina beard. The position players all have macho, gritty full facial hair and he has the pussy on his chin. He balances out the Yin and Yang on the team, which is why they are so successful.

Mike Pop

could be

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Jason Bartlett is the most indispensable Ray? Really?

I mean, I understand he came in and did a good job shoring up the SS position, but is he that important?

Ivan

He was the Team MVP, go figure.

Mike Pop

they OD on that kind of talk

Steve

Typical post season baseball broadcast

Guy who is an unsung hero-check

Guys who is good defensively who we call call the “Glue of the infield/outfield”-check

Kid who came up from the minors (preferably a 27 year old career minor leaguer) who made the starting lineup-check

Pitcher who has come back from horrific injury-check

Anyone on either team who had somebody close to them die or get horribly sick during the past year-check

As we all know, Josh Beckett doesn’t let up any HRs in the post season.

Ivan

Upton in the mothafuckin House bitches.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Upton’s shoulder must really be bothering him.

TEH AWESOMEST PLAYOFF PITCHER EVA!!111!!!

Mike Pop

Man Beckettt is soo freaken good its crazy

Mike Pop

Maddon told Longoria to be more selective and Longoria said ..wateva wateva i do what i want

Ivan

No excuses, hey CHW was hurting and sucked in the postseason, and the world gave him grief.

RichYF

What are the chances that the Steinbrenners can outright buy the Rays franchise?

RichYF

“Click here to cancel “reply”” button sucks.

Mike Pop

Lol and move them to New York and call them the Yanks but we get to keep Arod Joba Hughes Wang Cano and Mo plus our top 10 prospects.. Money can buy anything

Mike Pop

oo and the Captain

Steve

and pitched on short rest . . .

Steve

Josh got nuthin.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Maybe I was wrong about batting Crawford leadoff…

Mike Pop

TB still owns Boston in my opinion

Ivan

The way Beckett is going, he’s gonna lose that postseason arguement when people say he’s overrated.

Ivan

What the fuck Crawford.

Steve

Never trust a man with a tattoo on his neck.

Steve H

1) Never get less than twelve hours sleep, 2) Never play cards with a guy who has the same first name as a city, and 3) Never get involved with a woman with a tattoo of a dagger on her body. Y’know what? Everything is still cream cheese…

Mike Pop

Beckett proved his grit with that pickoff

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Oof, Crawford fell asleep there.

Ivan

Nice Play Pena.

RichYF

Is it just me or should Crisp have been on the verge of scoring there? I thought he was “speedy?”

RichYF

Disregard that, I thought someone was on first. I was reading something and I have the game muted so I don’t /wrists.

Ivan

Come on, Kazmir.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I love hearing that Ellsbury’s 0 for his last 15, or seeing the Sox pen active in the 3rd inning of a Beckett postseason start, stuff like that.

Bring them back down a peg.

Ivan

Well your gonna love that solo bomb by Cliff Flyod.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

OMG Beckett is soooo awesome.

RichYF

Dude, cut him some slack. That was the man, the legend, Cliff Floyd. All he does is rake.

Steve H

Who’s next in Home Run Derby??

Steve

Apparently, Pedroia

dkidd

tim kirkjian called josh beckett “one of the top 5 post-season pitchers ever”

not so much

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

The TBS announcing crew is already 5 minutes deep into excuses for Beckett.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

New York Rangers, 4-0-0.

Joey

they be pretty good, huh. And all they had to do was get rid of Jagr

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Seriously. Maybe all the Yanks need to do is get rid of A-Rod…

Joey

difference is Jagr was a past his prime softy, didn’t want to hit or be hit (can you tell I’m not a fan?) A-Rod is still in his prime and plays good D, which Jagr didn’t exactly help out on every shift

Steve

Worked for the Mariners . . . . .

dkidd

dave stewart called

he wants his reputation as a big game pitcher back

Steve H

He didn’t pitch for the Sox. Therefore, not a big game pitcher.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Three more outs then hit the showers, Scotty.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Okay, maybe now would be the time to hit the showers.

rafael

damn!

Joey

damn you you freakin balding midget

dkidd

will pedroia win the al mvp?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I hope not. We’ll never hear the end of it.

RichYF

Scrappy McBaldspot again? What the hell. Who does this guy think he is? Jose Vizcaino?

Steve

2009 Red Sox prediction-

Beckett-Finally gets shoulder surgery for the labrum issue he’s had all the way back to his days in Florida, the one that almost nixed the trade to the Sox. Turns out he was hiding it all post season.

Dice-K turns into a latter day Hideo Nomo, and begins to realize that you cant walk 6/9IP and be successful in the bigs.

Lester-Has an off year. It happens.

Wakefield, Byrd and Masterson pitch like Wakefield, Byrd and Masterson.

84-78 record 4th place finish, behind the Blue Jays. Dynasty over.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Dynasty over.

Well, it hasn’t exactly started yet.

Ivan

Not what ESPN is saying.

They basically saying they are better than the yanks of the late 90’s.

Steve

Close enough.

Seriously, if Beckett is hiding something serious you can imagine they will be very serious bidders in the Peavey sweepstakes. They could outbid anyone else involved (inc the Yanks) if they want.

Oh come on now, totally impartial. Just like the leaked Paul Byrd story right before he had to face the Sox in the playoffs. Of course now that Byrd is on the Sox, Gammons puts out stories that it was legit use of HGH. Except that it was prescribed by………….a freaking dentist.

Reggie C.

Dice-k strikes out more than his fair share and so he’s able to get out of most self-induced jams.

Lester is still a wild card for next year. He so surpassed expectations this year that i think its unfair to expect a repeat … or is it..

All i’m saying is that the RS are not a 4th place team. Bay jacks the RS ahead.

don’t call it a dynasty if they don’t win the series this year. 2 titles in 5 years is not a dynasty!

RichYF

I think I’m going to move out of where I am on the sole basis that my roommate and her boyfriend are Sox fans. Annoying ones.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Going to Balfour in the 5th, huh? Guess they’re going with him for the rest of this inning + the 6th, then Howell for the 7th + 8th, with Wheeler backing him up.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Wow. Just … wow.

Steve

Geez Louise.

Ivan

Get the fuck outta here.

RichYF

If Beckett wins this game he’ll retain his status as the best post-season pitcher of all time. Why? Because he gutted it out, stuck in there, and put his team in a position to win the game. That’s what players who are the best ever do.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I was just thinking that to myself. Makes me sick.

Steve H

Thank you Peter Gammons

Ivan

Great, now Balfour is sucking now.

Steve

Prediction-Balfour’s gonna throw a fastball here

Ivan

come on, you can’t walk Varitek.

Reggie C.

boston on the verge of an even bigger inning … if that’s possible.

Bill N

Seriously…….. quick throw that kid in the tank with the rays in it. The world doesn’t need more sox fans.

Ivan

With all this action in this game, it’s quite amazing were only in the top 5th inning.

Ivan

Wow Maddon really going to his go to guys early.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Off day tomorrow, gotta do what you gotta do.

He’s still got Wheeler, Price and Bradford back there, plus Miller for a LHB in a big spot.

Ivan

oh ok.

dkidd

this inning started in 1973

Steve H

it’s not going to end until 2023

Ivan

You gotta get Crips out no?

Ivan

Finally.

Bill N

Holy crap did you guys see that ? There is a blood spot on Becketts vag. He is giving it his all his grit tonight ala Schilling

Steve H

So I guess they still keep sharpie’s in the locker room.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Carlos muthaf%^&#n Pena.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Bah, he’s got to be on second on the play.

NYFan50

Down 3 times already this game, they just keep fighting back.

Bill N

And yes Buck plently of runners take off for an unoccupied base when the tag is firmly still placed on them. Thank you Pena….

ohbwonhomie

I’m starting the trade for peavy campaign, I said it a while back that the yanks can probably put a package together. Cano, hughes, ipk and two others maybe mid-level. gotta happen gotta happen. i’m losing my mind here. just wanna run down all these sux fans while driving thru the boston streets. peavy would be great for joba as well. he’s a brain out there.

Steve H

way too much. he pitches in the nl, in a pitchers park. way way too much to give up for peavy

RichYF

Mike, what’s it take to get Peavy?

CC and Peavy. Screw offense. Just get that.

I love Hughes as much as the next rebuilding lover thingy person, but he’s dispensable for a 27 year-old stud (as Mike A. would say).

All the Yanks have to do is get to the big show and then ride CC, Peavy, CMW, Joba, whoever to victory. One of them has to be hot no? I’d love Teixeira and some other bats, but to me it’s like this: If your pitcher is “on,” it doesn’t matter who he is facing. If your pitcher is throwing meatballs up like Kazmir and Beckett tonight, everyone will light him up (especially some of the quality bad pitch hitters that we have *cough* ARod *cough*).

That’s the stance I’ve had for a while now. I see our “1000 run” lineup just failing miserably to these quality starters. When a guy is dealin’, a guy is dealin’.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

To get Peavy? Lots and lots. I’d say at least 3 young, ML ready players with <3 yrs of service time for starters, then add a prospect or two that's not far off. I have no idea what that would be for the Yanks ... Hughes, Kennedy, Melancon, Miranda, Jackson?

They have no reason trade him because he's signed so cheap for so long. If they aren't blown away by an offer this winter, see what gets offered at the deadline, and if you still don't like it you can trade him next offseason.

Ivan

that’s a farm system killer.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Holy shit. We have ourselves a game fellas.

TEH AWESOMEST PLAYOFF PITCHER EVA!!11!1!!

NYFan50

Longoria is a beast.

NYFan50

Also: suck it, Beckett.

Steve H

$10 says Beckett feigns an injury after this postseason to justify his suckiness.

Reggie C.

Why don’t the Yanks have any of these type of players?!?!?!

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Because the Rays drafted them all before the Yanks had the chance.

Reggie C.

Yea. Drafting from the top spot for the past decade can make a team worst to First.

Hahahaha. I don’t think he is…well I hope he isn’t, but clearly Ellsbury is better.

He’s so scrappy and fast. Upton makes it look too easy. He’s lazy and has no work ethic. There’s no training for being gritty.

Joey

Ellsbury bunting = epic fail

Joey

ok, maybe not epic, but fail none the less

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Beckett’s already got a monopoly on tonight’s supply of epic failing.

UWS

Awww, come on. There’s always more epic failing to be found!

Ivan

Gardner could of done that.

NYFan50

I thought perhaps Price was going to pitch this inning.

Reggie C.

Has Cano dropped to 3rd best 2B in the AL East ?!?

Ivan

I be honest, I still think Cano is better than Pedroia.

Ivan

Pedroia can suck on a penis.

Steve H

Just ask Youk

Joey

Announcer: “He’s gritty, he’s dirty, he’s… he’s just one of those guys you’d love to have on your team”

Can anyone guess who he’s referring to?

RichYF

Who are the 2004-2008 Red Sox?

What do I win?

Joey

uuuuhhhh those games Mike, Ben, and Joe were giving away at the beginning of the season but never got around to it? lol

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Yeah, that was EPIC FAIL on our part.

Joey

lol it’s okay, we still love ya’ll

Ivan

Robinson Cano, oh wait……….

Reggie C.

HOLD. THE. LEAD.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

David Ortiz, meet Uncle Charlie. He’ll be staying for dinner.

Ivan

Ortiz sure misses manny. All those fastballs gone.

Steve H

He also misses the days before they had steroid testing.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I actually just checked the stats…

Ortiz before the Manny trade: .266-.360-.498
After: .262-.381-.519

Remember the wrist was bothering him before the deal though. Those numbers are definitely skewed somehow.

Reggie C.

Not much of a difference … nothing significant anyway. Definitely a lingering hand issue with Ortiz. besides getting more patient and taking walks, the power jump wasnt anything noticeable.

Ivan

True but not having manny hurts though.

RichYF

I was just about to say the same thing. I know Bay homered tonight and has been pretty good this postseason (I think anyway, I’m not bothering to check stats), but is there any way you pitch to Ortiz knowing Manny isn’t behind him?

Ivan

Everybody looks like a genius when ya team is winning uh?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

This is going to be fun. It’s the 6th inning and Maddon’s used all his main bullpen bullets. David Price, come on down!

What do the Yanks do to become a vaunted offense once more?!? Watching the RS and Rays trade runs is sickening b/c i know this is a game the Yanks would not keeping up with either squad.

Ivan

Really?

Reggie C.

Yeah. The Yankee offense was pathetic. everybody is well aware of the number of games where we got held to 2 runs or less.

Ivan

Tampa’s offense wasn’t that much better either, considering they hit worse in RISP than the yanks.

Steve H

Oh, and don’t forget, their pathetic offense scored more runs than the Rays this year.

Steve H

Do you remember the 2-0 game last night? Kind of a small sample size I’d say, less than a full game. They did have 15 and 19 run games against the Sox this year and tied the season series. They also won the season series against the Rays, 11-7.

Ivan

and did pretty well against the sox.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Something tells me this game isn’t going to end 8-7.

Steve H

Let’s hope it’s 20-7

Ivan

lol good one.

Ivan

Jason Bartlett, the most valueable 85 OPS.

Whitey14

Bang, Bang

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

So how’s this game treating your blood pressure?

Joey

Whitey, our favorite Sox fan around here, what up, haven’t heard from you in awhile (or maybe it’s been me)

Ivan

David Price top of the 7th no?

Steve H

Like to see him for 3 innings.

Reggie C.

BJ UPton is a weird dude. How do you go from slugging .500 to .400?? He hit that monster shot earlier but then he looks lost at the plate.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

He separated his shoulder and tore his labrum on a swing in May – he’s having surgery to fix the labrum in the offseason. That had to contribute to the power outage.

That’s why I’m scared of this team; Upton, Crawford, Baldelli, even Pena to some extent had down years, and no one had a career year.

Steve H

Agree on the offense, but their offense wasn’t why they were so good. They had all 5 starters in the rotation all year once Kazmir started in early May. That won’t happen again. Granted the rotation will be improved with Price, but they are due for some fall off from Jackson/Sonnanstine, and they are due for some injuries. Plus, who even knows what to expect from Kazmir going forward. For all of his promise, I’m not sure he’s ever going to put it all together.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I can totally see Edwin Jackson pitching for the Mets next year. Not sure who they’d trade for him though. Ryan Church would be perfect, but no way Minaya deals him, he was one of his guys from his days as a scout with the Expos.

Ivan

And were lucky with Balfour and Howell having big years out if the pen. Matt Garza having a great year.

Reggie C.

so you think the Rays are another hitter away from becoming a stable power-house? They can afford a drop-off in their 5th spot in the rotation b/c the other four guys are going to be really good: shields, price, garza, and kaz. Unless Kaz goes under the knife this offseason, you gotta think he’s healthy.

Ivan

Yea but remember, when teams like TB have almost everything break right for ya, that usually doesn’t happen the next year.

Not to take anything away from them but they have overachieve a little. None of their pitchers got hurt this season.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

That’s true, but their depth is better than most. They have Niemann, Talbot and Davis waiting down at AAA, and those guys would be starting for most teams.

Steve H

Just like Kennedy and Hughes, they can’t totally rely on those guys if they are going to be contenders. They might pan out if called on, but they might not.

Reggie C.

Right now , unless Kaz is hiding an injury, the Rays won’t be dipping into that AAA crowd. They don’t have to. Unlike the Yanks, the Rays have 2 ready made guys in Garza and price.

Steve H

Yeah, but one of them could get hurt running in an interleague game. One could pully a hammy. One could pull a quad and they would have to dip into their AAA reserves. Injuries aren’t mutually exclusive of each other.

Ivan

Yea but, if your a TB fan, to even have a remote chance to have the year their having, you need the big two of the sox and yanks to have a bad season, which they got. Next season, that’s probably not gonna be the case.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Heh, I love that even Bradford’s pickoff attempt throws to first are submarine.

Bill N

Ahhh I cannot escape the shitty announcing, just got to work get in the truck and yep Joe Morgan amazing simply amazing.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Ugh, why is Pena bunting. I know the left side of the infield is open, but swing away dammit.

Ivan

Rob Neyer said that occaisionally it helps to bunt the ball the other side of the field.

dkidd

is it me, or have we seen a ton of stupid bunt attempts in this post-season?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Erick Aybar FTL.

Ivan

That was more Scioscia fault.

dkidd

that was a stupid bunt CALL by the manager

aybar’s attempt was not stupid so much as incompetent

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Check out Chad Bradford coming out for the 8th.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

OMG why didn’t Betemit go for that ball?!?!

/forceofhabit

Ivan

David Price time?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I’m guessing Wheeler.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Ah, Miller for the lefty.

dkidd

betemitesque at first

Ivan

No Shit Buck Martinez.

Ivan

Maddon you could of had price for that one.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Oh boy. Rays are going to earn this one.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Wa wa wee wa.

Ivan

Not enough grit there.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Walk Bay. Just do it.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Shit, walk Lowrie too, and pitch to Varitek.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Ah crap.

E-ROC

Grit base running by Pedroia

Ivan

Why Im not surprise.

dkidd

are you kidding me?

dkidd

someone please murder buck martinez

Joey

“Pedroia’s showing the flair of being an MVP-type player” Alright, get off his dick and do your job for once announcer guy

Mike R.

“This Red Sox team is relentless. They found a way to tie it.”

Apparently Pedroia’s grittiness caused the wild pitch and wusslike underarm throw by Navarro and his great baseball instincts told him to run.

dkidd

exactly. no mention of the ludicrous “charlie sheen in major league” wild pitch?

dkidd

rays up last. that should help in this game

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Can this game end please? I’ve got Forgetting Sarah Marshall on Blu-ray waiting for me…

Mike R.

They’re giving First Blood on Spike. Something tells me that you can watch it and still tune in in time to see the end of the game.

BTW Forgetting Sarah Marshall is all kinds of awesome.

dkidd

not that funny

Mike R.

I really enjoyed it. I definitely would not want to see it in Blu-Ray, but I liked it.

Never played #3. I usually stick to sports games, but Call of Duty 4 was awesome. Can’t help you any more than that. My attention span is legendary, I can play one game for months without getting bored of it.

Bill N

Who gave Pedrioa the Gorilla Mask ?

Bill N

noone watches always sunny in philadelphia ?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I guess not. I figured that was an ugly GritBeard reference.

Bill N

thats a shame, such a funny show

Lanny

Always Sunny is a classic show. Best comedy on tv right now with the office and 30 rock

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Yikes. They got lucky that ball bounced over the wall.

Ivan

Ellsbury sucks.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Nice job by Wheeler.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Not for nothing, but the Yanks would have found a way to lose this game a couple of innings ago. They don’t seem to have the balls to handle a game like this.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

OMG where’s the grit?

Ivan

Cano could of made that play.

Mike R.

That must have been a very tricky hop because Pedroia is the greatest defensive 2nd baseman since Alomar. And I am sure that Robbie is estatic to be mentioned in the same breath as Dusty.

Mike R.

What part of Boston exactly did that 3B umpire grow up? How much money do you think he owes Sully?

Lanny

Was it fair?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

It sure looked like it.

Mike R.

I saw the white smear after third base. It seemed clear from the comfort of my sofa.

I would, but it looks like Jackson. This will either be very good, or very very bad.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Oh good God, it’s still Wheeler.

Ivan

No Price?

dkidd

harold reynolds just sexually harassed cal ripken

Bill N

hahahah

Lanny

Question:

Where is the talk about making Price the closer or 8th inning guy???

He’s big and has great stuff.

Nothing??

dkidd

still wheeler?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Price just pitched yesterday. I can understand not wanting to use him on back-to-back days since he’s so young and so important to their future, but come on man, it’s the ALCS!!!

Ivan

Kinda tells ya what they think off Edwin Jackson no?

Ivan

of

Lanny

Now here is the guy who has given me nightmares since 2003.

My one wish the past decade was that George would have been more forceful in signing the guy he wanted. Papi.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Routine fly ball power for Papi.

Ivan

Ortiz is lost.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I can’t remember the last time I saw him drive a ball with any authority.

Bill N

Lack of injections

Lanny

That wrist has zapped any power he has.

If I told you 5 months ago that ortiz would be a shell of himself and an easy out and Manny was traded and Beckett was hurt would you have picked Boston???

Mike R.

That’s what happens when you lose the power of Man Ram behind you.

Ivan

End this game Longoria.

Ivan

maybe not.

Lanny

TB is due here.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Carl Crawford walk-off inside-the-park homer.

Bill N

I hate being at work when playoff baseball is on…. take that back i hate being at work… stupid people and needing water to survive

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Stupid water. Messin’ everything up for everyone.

Bill N

ha, I work with the water authority and have to fill in for a guy who got hurt and i’m low guy low i got thrown onto midnights

Lanny

Could be worse. You could have all your money in the market.

Bill N

Very true, I’m afraid to look at my retirement portfolio online

Lanny

from a forward:

My broker gave me some data. If I had purchased these securities one year ago:
1,000 shares of Delta would be worth $49 today
1,000 shares of AIG would be worth $33 today
1,000 shares of Lehman Brothers would be worth $0 today

But,
if I had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank it all and
then turned in the aluminum cans for a recycling refund, I would have
received $214.

So my investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle. I will call it the 401 Keg Plan.

Bill N

My buddy sent me that the other day to

Lanny

Made me want to drink more.

Bill N

indeed

Joey

The way the economy looks the only way to stay somewhat sane is the drink heavily

Lanny

And no Yankee Oct baseball doesn’t help.

I am real thankful for the Giants right now saving my sanity.

Bill N

way to take a pitch Evan

Lanny

Longoria can do no wrong to me. How and why did he sign that contract?

He cost himself 70-90 mill bucks.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I can see that argument, but man, at that age I think I would have taken the security too. He’s guaranteed $17.5M, and the total deal could be worth $44.5M if they pick up all the options. The kid is still going to get paid on way or the other, at least now if he gets hit by a bus he’s still set for life.

Lanny

Tough to turn down 16 mil when you haven’t played a game but you have to have faith in your abilities and his agent should be fired for gross negligence for letting him sign it.

What agent lets a stud like that sign such a below market deal? the players union couldn’t have been thrilled.

He waits 2 years and he even gets Wright money which is under market.

Ivan

Come on Crawford get on base.

Ivan

FUCK!!!

Mike R.

Great defense by Papelbon! :|

Lanny

No luck for TB there. Crawford is on 3rd there with his speed and stolen base prowess

Ivan

Great.

Lanny

Bostons pen turns it on in October.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Oh. My. God.

Wheeler’s still out there.

Joey

I believe it’s called “playing with fire”

Ivan

Wheeler again.

Lanny

No faith in jackson or price?

Ivan

They must not like Edwin Jackson then uh.

Price is warming up.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

I guess not, but you can’t really blame them. The Sox have never seen Price before, there’s some major pwnage potential there.

Lanny

Got to have Price ready for Crisp, Ellsbury and Ortiz.

Lanny

Rays’ fill-in closer Dan Wheeler has thrown a grand total of two innings in the last 18 days, so he’s got to get some work in today with the off day tomorrow, right?

This counts as getting some work in.

Accent Shallow

So I checked Wheeler’s gamelogs for this year, and he’s never gone more than 2 innings.

Yikes.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

That was his longest outing since Sept 17, 2004. The 48 pitches are the most he’s thrown in a game since June 4, 2006.

Ivan

Here comes price.

Lanny

Buster Olney just got excited in pants.

Ivan

Come on Price, calm down.

Lanny

Strikes, David. Strikes.

Ivan

Gotta get Kotsay out Price.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

You know, the last time David Price pitched out of the bullpen in extra innings of a playoff game he gave up the go-ahead homer to a freshman hitting under .200 in what would eventually be the upset loss that ended Vandy’s season in the 2007 Regionals.

Just sayin’.

Ivan

Phil Hughes wouldn’t done that.

Ivan

Wow Price got a gift there.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

How did this game go from all offense to a pitcher’s duel?

Lanny

TB should take all the rev sharing money and think out of the box and sign Manny this off season.

With all this great young pitching and cheap contracts they can afford to make a splash.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

So who’s left in Boston’s pen? Timlin and Byrd? Is that all? I guess Wakefield too.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Glad to see Navarro’s developed into a BoSox killer.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Oh man, Francona brought Timlin in…

Manimal

Wheres Giambi when you need him(for once)

Accent Shallow

Timlin’s in. Guess the Red Sox are fine with the series being 1-1?

Lanny

Timlin?

Giambi just smiled from a Vegas club surrounded by 20 gorgeous girls.

Ivan

Come on TB, it’s fucking Timlin, you gotta get a run no?

Manimal

I can’t believe im still up but theirs nothing better than a GREAT ball game. Doesn’t matter who it is.

Bill N

They have to win off Timlin right ?

Lanny

Navarro has really developed into a solid catcher.

Who says we cant develop position players???

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

The haters. Alfonso Soriano says hi.

Ivan

Cano said hi as well.

Mike R.

Yeah. I wouldn’t say our problem is developing position players as much as drafting them. Most of our studs come from July 2nd signings. it makes sense. We haven’t selected in the top half of the draft in over 15 years and we have the financial advantage overseas.

Manimal

I have to piss wicked bad but I’m waiting for Timlin to blow it. Should be any second now…

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Hah, my Red Sox fan buddy just IMed me:

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I think we all know what that’s in reference too.

Manimal

I just got similar messages

Joey

that made me smile :-D

Joey

that and the fact that Timlins in the game

Lanny

Darling and Martinez and Carey are the best booth I’ve heard in a long time.

Darling might be the best analyst going right now.

The SNY team is top notch.

Ivan

Darling on SNY is top notch, not Cohen and Keith.

Lanny

Hernandez is very entertaining and knows his stuff. You know hes good when Reyes threatens him on the team plane.

Manimal

Throw him out. What the hell. MLB has strict rules and they obviously dont apply for the red sox.

Manimal

oh, he did.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

How the hell can the manager and pitching coach walk out of the dugout with the sole purpose of arguing ball and strike calls and NOT get thrown out?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Nevermind, they tossed him.

Lanny

What was Terry thinking there??

Manimal

Our comments were so similar its freaky.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Great minds…

Bill N

tiss tiss…. rules don’t appy to the red sox

Accent Shallow

I think Farrell got tossed.

Lanny

Timlin can’t even let the guy bunt???

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Apparently he can’t even get the outs they’re trying to give him anymore either.

Lanny

How does Bartlett, a light hitting SS, not get a bunt down?

Ivan

Let Bartlett Bunt.

Ivan

okay good enough.

Lanny

I’ll give it up for Maddon.

Great run call there.

Manimal

Oh man, I might not make it to the bathroom

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Gotta walk Iwamura here.

Manimal

because BJ is so much less of a threat…

Lanny

Need the force outs.

Manimal

Timlin walks in the winning run. Im calling it now.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

Get the guy with the cowbell away from the fucking microphone please.

Manimal

It started with one guy and now they all do it. It was freaking annoying when I went to the trop 2 years ago.

Ivan

Walk off GS is coming soon, any fuckin minute now.

Bill N

Big spot Upton

Lanny

I know the Rays have made some good trades and signings but really. They got like 5 core guys who were picked in the top 10 here.

And that is with them missing on 4-5 pitchers in the top part of the draft.

Joey

Yeah baby, yeah!

Accent Shallow

What did I say earlier?

Ivan

Now that’s speed holmes.

Manimal

Bossman in the clutch.

Manimal

oh my god I can pee now.

Mike R.

Those relentless Rays found a way to win this game! Right? Right?

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

That was a damn fine game.

Joey

easily best of playoffs so far, maybe only really good one?

Lanny

Had a lil of everything. That is a good playoff baseball game.

Lanny

Maybe 4 guys could have scored or attempted to score there. The Rays might have 3 of them.

Speed on the bench. How novel!

Cashman you watching??

Manimal

Brett Gardner could have ran around the bases before the throw got in. Twice.

Bill N

sweet deal

Manimal

Yeah, what is that 9 8 thing that was on the shirts

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike A.

9 guys playing hard for 9 innings = being one of 8 teams in the playoffs

Manimal

And the other 7 teams are in the playoffs because… not all 9 showed up? Thats dumb. their just playoff n00bies.

Manimal

Super stud Longoria even talks like a superstar. Too bad we are all going to hate him next year.

Manimal

Football in 11 hours. night guys.

Joey

any minor leaguers that played tonight Mike?

Lanny

Will Lester throw in an average game here and put the pressure on Wakefield??